Lord Bach: The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that the farming industry remains dynamic and innovative. Viable and sustainable businesses are crucial to the prosperity of the countryside. In the Rural Strategy 2004 Defra made a commitment to providing rural businesses with access to appropriate business support and training. Since then, we have worked with partners from central, regional and local government on a number of projects to help rural businesses get the help and advice they need.
	Building on work under the learning, skills and knowledge programme (LSK), Defra continues to work with the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector (Lantra) on the provision of, and demand for, skills training and development for rural businesses. Lantra is developing a competence framework for the land-based sector and will be piloting this within selected sub-sectors. We are also working with Lantra to develop a mechanism for recognising skills gained through experience as well as formal qualifications attained.
	Some of the support offered to farmers and the wider industry for the dissemination of innovative farming information include:
	The National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), which is sponsored by Defra, develops products, processes and technologies from agricultural materials and acquires and disseminates the latest information on non-food crops, technologies and markets to farmers and the wider farming industry, as well as to all other relevant stakeholders throughout the supply chain. The centre's purpose is to provide a single, independent and authoritative source of information on the use and implementation of non-food crop products and technologies in the United Kingdom. The NNFCC can also provide farmers with advice and guidance on contracts and procurement issues.
	The Farm Business Advice Service is helping farmers to consider options for the future of their business. The current service was launched on 21 October 2005. Funded by Defra, it is available to farmers claiming the single payment scheme in England until March 2007.
	The rural enterprise scheme (RES), which forms part of the England rural development programme, can provide support to farmers for good quality, sustainable diversification projects to help businesses respond to new economic opportunities available in the rural economy, beyond agriculture.
	The vocational training scheme, which also forms part of the England rural development programme, provides funding for vocational training activities that contribute to an improvement of the occupational skill and competence of farmers and others involved in farming (including horticulture) and forestry activities and their conversion (that is, diversification).
	As ERDP is coming to an end, the last application date for the RES and VS is 30 June 2006. We are currently consulting on a successor scheme for ERDP.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information for 2005–06 is in the table.
	
		Additional cost for age-related allowances
		
			 Age Age-related Allowance(£ million) Married Couples' Allowance(£ million) 
			 Age 65 to 74 970 280 
			 Age 75 and above 720 330 
		
	
	The estimates are based on the 2003–04 survey of personal incomes projected forward to 2005–06 in line with Pre-Budget 2005 assumptions.

Lord Bach: Defra estimates provided to the Office of National Statistics classified 3 per cent. of science, engineering and technology expenditure by Defra and its agencies as social science for 2004–05. However, given the increasingly multi-disciplinary nature of research and the way that information is held on research funding, this is likely to be an underestimate as social science routinely complements natural science within projects. As stated in our Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2005–08 consultation document, an increase in social science research is anticipated in this period but, at this stage, it is not possible to provide a reliable quantification of this in terms of expenditure share.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The latest published information on removal of asylum seekers covers the final quarter of 2005. The number of persons of Iraqi nationality, including those of Kurdish origin, removed to Iraq, for the past 18 months, by type of removal is shown in the accompanying table. These figures include people departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration and those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five, and are provisional. As at 31 December 2005, there were 35 Iraqi nationals held in detention centres solely under Immigration Act powers. This figure is rounded to the nearest five. Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's research development and statistics website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures(1) of asylum applicants, nationals of Iraq, Q3 2004 to Q4 2005(2)(P)
		
			 Type of Removal Q3 2004 Q4 2004 Q1 2005 Q2 2005 Q3 2005 Q4 2005 Total 
			 Persons removed as a result of enforcement action(3)(4) * - * * 5 20 30 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) * - * * 5 20 30 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants - - - - * - * 
			 Persons leaving under assisted voluntary returnprogrammes(6) 90 150 145 100 195 310 990 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 90 145 145 100 185 300 965 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants - 5 - - 10 10 25 
			 Total persons removed(1) 90 150 145 105 200 330 1,020 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 90 145 145 105 190 320 990 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants - 5 - - 10 10 30 
		
	
	(1) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(2) Figures rounded to the nearest five, with - = 0, * = 1 or 2, and may not sum due to rounding.
	(3) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them and those it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(4) Excludes assisted voluntary returns.
	(5) Persons who had sought asylum at some stage, excluding dependants.
	(6) Persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. May include some on-entry cases and some cases where enforcement action has been initiated.
	(P) Provisional figures.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office does not record ethnic groupings electronically; therefore the number of failed asylum seekers of Kurdish origin returned to Turkey is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	The number of persons of Turkish nationality removed to Turkey, for the past 18 months, by type of removal is shown in the accompanying table. These figures include people departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five, and are provisional.
	We enforce the return of an individual only where we are satisfied that the person concerned will not be at risk and has been unsuccessful in any appeals against the decision in their particular case. We do not regard any part of Turkey as being unsafe for failed asylum seekers of Kurdish origin as a class. In an individual case, parts of Turkey might be considered unsafe for a failed asylum seeker, in which case we would only remove to an area that was safe.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures(1) of asylum applicants, nationals of Turkey, Q3 2004 to Q4 2005(2)(P)
		
			 Type of Removal Q3 2004 Q4 2004 Q1 2005 Q2 2005 Q3 2005 Q4 2005 Total 
			 Persons removed as a result of enforcement action(3) (4) 80 55 65 95 215 320 830 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 80 55 65 95 205 315 815 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants * * 5 - 5 5 20 
			 Persons leaving under assisted voluntary returnprogrammes(6) 10 5 5 10 5 5 45 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 5 5 5 10 5 5 35 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants 5 * 8 8 * - 10 
			 Total persons removed(1) 90 60 75 105 220 320 875 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 85 55 70 105 210 320 845 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants 5 5 5 * 10 5 30 
		
	
	(1) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(2) Figures rounded to the nearest five, with - = 0 and * = 1 or 2; and may not sum due to rounding.
	(3) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them and those it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(4) Excludes assisted voluntary returns.
	(5) Persons who had sought asylum at some stage, excluding dependants.
	(6) Persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. May include some on-entry cases and some cases where enforcement action has been initiated.
	(P) Provisional figures.

Lord Rooker: The Independent Monitoring Commission plays a vital role reporting ongoing paramilitary activity. However the Government also rely on regular discussions with security advisers including, in particular, the Chief Constable. The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has a distinct function from the IMC but its assessments are, similarly, highly valued by the Government.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There is no obligation to provide cycle storage at any Channel Tunnel Rail Link stations under the development agreement between London and Continental Railways and the Secretary of State for Transport. However, the following provisions are being made:
	St Pancras domestic and international station
	Thirty cycle spaces have been provided and further provision will be made close to the station and Kings Cross.
	Kings Cross
	Planning applications seek consent to provide a 810 metre square cycle storage facility and would accommodate some 800 cycles within the King's Cross central development scheme. The proposal has been developed in conjunction with Transport for London and the London Borough of Camden and includes a cycle shop, repair and cycle hire facility located opposite St Pancras.
	Stratford International
	While there is limited provision near the international station entrance, the approved Stratford City development (within which the international station is sited) includes provision of a cycle pool plus secure cycle parking facilities, including provision for 100 spaces adjacent to Stratford regional station.
	Ebbsfleet
	While there is no current cycle provision either within the station or the adjacent development, LCR are consulting with the local authorities with regard to cycle accessibility to the international station.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Highways Agency is continuing to work closely with the supply chain to drive down costs of construction across the whole of the targeted programme of improvements (TPI) and is taking a far more realistic view of .the likely final costs of projects. The programme is subject to external cost pressures, including rising energy prices, which have driven cost inflation above the retail price index in the road construction industry. The agency continuously reviews its forecasts of scheme costs and the reported increases record updates in estimates for schemes during their planning phase, not over expenditure under construction. Rigorous processes for cost control are in place. The agency scrutinises thoroughly individual potential cost increases and a review of the impact on the overall programme is undertaken, together with an independent evaluation of value for money, to inform the decision whether or not to continue to take the scheme forward.
	No agency staff have been disciplined over scheme cost increases. The agency's project teams are working hard to identify and .manage the risks of potential cost increases in advance of any final commitment to construct the scheme.
	The Highways Agency is continuing to deliver its agreed programme, as set out in its 2005–06 business plan, within the funding levels agreed in the 2004 spending review. The level of funding agreed in the 2004 spending review took account of the fact that some schemes were subject to cost increases. Within the Highways Agency's total budget envelope, individual scheme budgets are adjusted to reflect increases in scheme costs, subject to the satisfactory completion of the necessary reappraisal and approval procedures.
	There has been no significant delay to schemes as a result of cost pressures. Progress of the TPI is monitored through a progress point system where points, up to a maximum of 100, are awarded upon completion of various events during the delivery of a scheme. Each year business plan targets are set for progress points, representing 95 per cent. of what the agency is expecting to deliver. The agency met its progress point target in 2004–05 and is on course to do so again in 2005–06.
	The agency's chief executive meets regularly with the Department for Transport board and Ministers to consider and review cost pressures and the resultant impact on the programme. A robust cost control action plan has been developed to drive down inflation pressures.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Data on the number of persons who have been cautioned, proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for the above offences in England and Wales from 1985 to 2004, are provided in the table.
	
		Number of offenders cautioned, defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for selected offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and 1985, the Street Offences Act 1959 and the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, England and Wales, 1985–2004. -- Offence: Tenant permitting premises to be used for prostitution.Statute: Sexual Offences Act 1956 S.36
		
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1985 - 11 9 
			 1986 - 5 4 
			 1987 - 10 10 
			 1988 - 9 5 
			 1989 - 9 7 
			 1990 - 10 7 
			 1991 - 1 - 
			 1992 - 5 2 
			 1993 1 4 - 
			 1994 1 3 3 
			 1995 1 1 1 
			 1996 1 3 3 
			 1997 - 1 - 
			 1998 - 1 - 
			 1999 - - - 
			 2000 - 1 1 
			 2001 1 1 1 
			 2002 - - - 
			 2003 - - - 
			 2004 - - - 
		
	
	
		Offence: Common prostitute loitering or soliciting for the purposes of prostitution. -- Statute: Street Offences Act 1959 S.1
		
			 Year Cautioned against Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1985 4,191 9,401 9,159 
			 1986 4,858 9,395 9,092 
			 1987 . . . 8,477 8,174 
			 1988 . . . 9,185 8,831 
			 1989. 5,015 10,484 10,132 
			 1990 4,187 10,612 10,162 
			 1991 3,840 10,262 9,651 
			 1992 3,654 9,584 8,898 
			 1993 3,626 8,094 7,522 
			 1994 3,135 7,177 6,708 
			 1995 3,175 6,036 5,653 
			 1996 3,349 5,792 5,429 
			 1997 3,393 6,041 5,695 
			 1998 3,377 5,597 5,223 
			 1999 1,973 3,679 3,378 
			 2000 1,172 3,675 3,397 
			 2001 740 3,129 2,841 
			 2002 1,384 2,909 2,668 
			 2003 902 2,956 2,627 
			 2004 1,235 2,002 1,735 
		
	
	
		Offence: Kerb-crawling -- Statute: Sexual Offences Act 1985 S.1
		
			  
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1986 46 191 163 
			 1987 . . . 307 275 
			 1988 . . . 578 521 
			 1989 247 1,001 899 
			 1990 228 1,377 1,229 
			 1991 151 1,323 1,140 
			 1992 333 1,005 827 
			 1993 256 777 638 
			 1994 350 1,113 919 
			 1995 96 1,268 1,100 
			 1996 113 1,244 1,096 
			 1997 113 950 813 
			 1998 93 808 700 
			 1999 65 691 599 
			 2000 153 812 700 
			 2001 183 916 775 
			 2002 336 1,053 891 
			 2003 279 956 834 
			 2004 217 841 760 
		
	
	
		Offence: Persistent soliciting of women for the purpose of prostitution -- Statute: Sexual Offences Act 1985 S.2
		
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1986 80 29 26 
			 1987 . . . 48 43 
			 1988 . . . 50 44 
			 1989 28 55 51 
			 1990 103 90 71 
			 1991 135 71 51 
			 1992 173 70 51 
			 1993 114 69 49 
			 1994 69 46 30 
			 1995 26 59 34 
			 1996 15 82 56 
			 1997 20 86 68 
			 1998 34 94 65 
			 1999 20 67 51 
			 2000 11 37 26 
			 2001 17 97 66 
			 2002 25 120 102 
			 2003 31 70 50 
			 2004 39 64 48 
		
	
	
		Offence: Placing of advertisement relating to prostitution -- Statute: Criminal Justice & Police Act 2001 S.46
		
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 2001 16 6 5 
			 2002 95 586 549 
			 2003 74 420 396 
			 2004 115 410 376 
		
	
	. . . = Not available
	(1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current status of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's Soccer Strategy; and what steps they have taken to distribute the £8 million which was earmarked for football in the province.

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing relief against inheritance tax for agricultural property at (a) 50 per cent. rate, and (b) 100 per cent. rate; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing relief against inheritance tax for business property at (a) 50 per cent. rate, and (b) 100 per cent. rate.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Estimates of the costs of both agricultural relief and business property relief in years 2004–05 and 2005–06 are published by HM Revenue and Customs in Table 1.5; tax expenditures and structural reliefs are available at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax–expenditures/l–5–dec05.xls.
	The split between relief provided at the different rates is as follows.
	
		
			  Cost of agricultural relief (£ millions) Cost of business property relief (£ millions) 
			  2004–05 2005–06 2004–05 2005–06 
			 50% Relief 5 5 5 5 
			 100% Relief 210 220 175 195

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the number of estates subject to inheritance tax which are worth (a) less than £500,000; (b) greater than or equal to £500,000, but less than £750,000; (c) greater than or equal to 750,000, but less than £1,000,000; and (d) greater than or equal to £1,000,000.

Lord Adonis: The latest available information released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) showing students who had applied by the mid-January deadline disaggregated by age, gender and socio-economic group is given in the tables. Comparable figures on ethnicity and region are not available centrally. It is still too early to judge the complete picture, as 25 per cent. of applications are still to come in. The next UCAS press releases will cover applicants who have applied by the end of March (usually around 80 to 85 per cent. of final applicants) and by the end of June (around 90 to 95 per cent). The socio-economic figures (which show decreases of 6 per cent. for classifications 1 to 3 and 5.6 per cent. for classifications 4 to 7) do not fit with the overall decrease of 4.5 per cent. as there has been an increase of 1.2 per cent. in the number of applicants whose socio-economic background is not known. But the proportions of English applicants to UK institutions from the standardly-defined higher and lower socio-economic backgrounds were unchanged from 2005: 69 per cent. of applicants to UK institutions came from socio-economic classifications 1 to 3, and 31 per cent. from classifications 4 to 7.
	
		Applicants from England to full-time undergraduate courses in the UK, as at January 15
		
			  Year of entry:  
			  2005 2006 Percentage change 
			 Age
			 Under 21 242,540 231,736 -4.5 
			 21 and over 41,819 39,927 -4.5 
			 Total 284,359 271,663 -4.5 
			 Gender
			 Male 125,798 119,504 -5.0 
			 Female 158,561 152,159 -4.0 
			 Total 284,359 271,663 -4.5 
			 Socio-economic group 
			  
			 1. Higher managerial, professional occupations 52,091 50,651 -2.8 
			 2. Lower managerial, professional occupations 72,080 67,322 -6.6 
			 3. Intermediate occupations 33,737 30,522 -9.5 
			 4. Small employers and own account workers 16,276 15,956 -2.0 
			 5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations 10,702 10,027 -6.3 
			 6. Semi-routine occupations 31,243 28,592 -8.5 
			 7. Routine occupations 12,228 11,908 -2.6 
			 8. Unknown 56,002 56,685 +1.2 
			 Groups 1 to 3 157,908 148,495 -6.0 
			 Groups 4 to 7 70,449 66,483 -5.6 
			 Total 284,359 271,663 -4.5 
		
	
	Source: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).